Shackle.



rm..3.2,.,59.v Patented sept. 5, |899.

A. L. NlLsoN.

SHACKLE.

(Application led Nov. 30, 1898.)

(No Model.)

l i', nifl ifa-'nihil' Nrrnn S'rn'rns n'rnNr FICE AXEL L. NILSON, OF OTTUMWA, IOVA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO VILLIAM T. ARCHER, OF SAME PLACE.

SHAC'KLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 632,359, dated September 5, 1899. Application filed November 30, 1898. Serial No. 697,887. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, AXEL L. NILSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ottumwa,

in the county of Wapello and State of Iowa,

have invented a new and useful Shackle, of which the following' is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in shackles.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of shackles and to provide a simple, inexpensive, and eiiicient device possessing great strength and durability and adapted to be readily snapped into engagement with the leg of a hog.

A further object of theinvention is to provide a pair of shackles which may be operated independently of each other to facilitate their engagement with the hind legs of a hog and to connect them so as to equalize the strain on the device.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair of shackles constructed in accordance with this invention, one of the shackles being open and the other closed. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of one of the shackles, the same being open. Fig. 3 is a similar View illustrating the arrangement of the parts when the shackle is closed. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken at right angles to Figs. 2 and 3.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the iigures of the draw-V ings.

l designates a tubular handle provided at opposite sides with perforated ears 2, between which are pivoted the inner ends of shanks 3 of curved jaws 4, and the latter, which are provided at their inner edges with serrations or teeth, are adapted to grip the leg of a hog or other animal firmly to prevent any liability of the device slipping. The Shanks of the jaws cross each other at the outer end of the handle and are provided with curved longitudinal slots 5, in which is arranged a pin 6 of a longitudinal :rod 7, which is adapted to be retracted to open the jaws and set the device. The outer end of ,the rod is enlarged and provided with a bifurcation 8, in which the shanks vare arranged, and when the rod is drawn backward the pin 6 is moved rearward in the slots 5 to cause a separation of the engaging portions of the jaws, which have their outer ends overlapping when closed. The jaws are locked in their open position by a spring-actuated catch 9 and are closed when tripped by a coiled spring l0, disposed on the rod and interposed between the enlarged end thereof and the inner end of the handle, which has a reduced opening receiving the rod and forming a shoulder 11i.

The latch-lever, which is arrangedv within the casing 12, is fulcrumed between its ends and is provided at its engaging end with an arm 13, extending inward and adapted to engage the reciprocating rod, whereby the jaws are held open against the action of the spring. The arm 13 is held in engagement with the rod 7 by a spring 14, interposed between the handle and the inner end of the catch, which is adapted to be depressed by the operator to trip the device. The spring may be of spiral form, as shown, or a Hat spring can be elnployed, if desired.

The casing 12 consists of a guard extending over the rear portion of the catch and provided at its front end with parallel sides secured to a pair of perforated ears 16, between which the catch is pivoted. The rear end of the guard is secured to the handle, and by this construction there is no liability of the catch being accidentally operated by contacting with an object.

The rear ends of the rods are provided with hooks 17, and the handles are provided with collars 1S and are connected by links 19 with the ends of an equalizing-lever 20. The collars 18, which are located at the inner ends of the handle, t against annular shoulders or enlargements, and the lever 20, which is adapted to equalize the strain on the device, is substantially triangular, as shown, being provided at its apex with a perforation to receive a link of a supporting-frame 21. The supporting-frame 21, which is connected with a hook 22, is provided with a swivel member 23, which permits the device to rotate without twisting. The hook 22 consists of a shank IOO provided at one end with an engaging portion and having at its back a supplemental engaging portion or hook 25.

The invention has the following advantages: The device is simple, inexpensive, strong and durable, and the shackles are adapted to be operated independently of each other and are capable of iirmly engaging the legs of an animal, so that there is no liability of them slipping. The two shackles are connected by an equalizing device which distributes the strain, and the catches or triggers for tripping the shackles are protected by a guard or casing, so that they cannot be accidentally operated.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction vmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacricing any of the advantages of this invention.

l. A device of the class described comprising a handle, a pair of jaws pivoted at the inner ends of their shanks to the handle at opposite sides thereof, said Shanks being crossed between the engaging portions of the jaws and the pivots, and a reciprocating rod mounted on the handle and having a sliding connect-ion with the jaws and adapted to swing the same on the pivots of the handle, whereby the jaws are opened and closed, substantially as described.

2. A device of the class described comprising a handle, a pair of jaws pivoted at the inner ends of their shanks to the handle at opposite sides thereof, said jaws having their shanks crossed and provided with longitudinal slots, and a reciprocating rod mounted on the handle and engaging the slots of the jaws, whereby it is slidingly connected with the said jaws and is adapted when reciprocated to open and close the same, substantially as described.

3. A device of the class described comprising a handle, a pair of jaws having their shanks crossed and provided with longitudinal slots, a reciprocating rod mounted in the handle and having one end bifurcated and provided with a fastening device engaging the slots of the jaws, and a spring disposed on the rod, substantially as described.

4. A device of the class described comprising a handle, a pair of jaws pivoted at the inner ends of their shanks to the handle at opposite sides thereof, and crossed between their engaging portions and the pivots, a reciprocating rod mounted on the handle and slidingly connected with the jaws, a spring engaging the rod and adapted to hold the jaws normally closed, and means for setting and tripping the jaws, substantially as described.

5. A device of the class described comprising a handle, a pair of jaws pivoted to the handle, a reciprocating rod arranged within the handle and .connected with the jaws, a catch fulcrumed on the handle at the outer end thereof and having its outer portion projecting beyond the same and engaging the end of the rod, the inner portion of the catch forming a trigger and adapted to be depressed to release the rod, and a spring for actuating the rod, substantially as described.

6. A device of the class described comprising a handle, a pair of jaws pivoted to the handle and having their Shanks crossed and provided with longitudinal slots, a reciprocating rod mounted in the handle and engaging the slots of the jaws, and a spring for actuating the rod, substantially as described.

7 A device of the class described comprising an equaliZing-lever, a pair of shackles arranged at the ends of the lever and each composed of a handle secured to the lever, a pair of jaws, a spring-actuated rod connected with the jaws and extending through the handle and provided beyond the lever with a hook, means for setting and tripping the jaws, and a centrally-arranged supporting device connected with the lever, substantially as described.

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own l have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

AXEL L. NILSON. lVitnesses:

W. T. Anci-inn, F. G. O RELUIP. 

